Regulator for expansion-valves.



J. M; LARSON.

REGULATOR FOR EXPANSION VALVES. APPLICATION FILED was. 1912.

1 146 603, Patented July 20, 1915. I 2 SHEETSSHEET I.

v J62 I VII J a J. M. LARSON.

REGULATOR FOR EXPANSION VALVES.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.8. I912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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JOHN M. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL REGULATOR COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

REGULATOR FOR EXPANSION-VALVES.

Application filed August 8, 1912. Serial No. 714,129.

production of a valve that can be adapted for use in connection with either air, gas or water, and 1n VZLI'lO'llSlIldLlStIlQS.

A further objectis the production of a, device in which the expansible member is so formed as to operate efliciently in either direction after the valve is closed without deterioration or injury, and one that 1s not liable to breakage through variation of temperature.

A further object is the production of a device in which it is not necessary to submit the inside of the cylinders or jackets to great pressure.

A further object is the production of a device of simple construction that can be cheaply manufactured, and one that is not liable to get outof order. y

These, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, areobtained b my device,

embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure. 1 represents a plan'view of my device in position ready for use, the operative portions being shown in sections. Fig. 2 rep resents a sectional detail, showing a modification of a portion of Fig. 1.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawing.

This application is an improvement on-the invention described in my application Serial No. 699,696, filed May 25, 1912. .Referring now to the drawings, A represents my improved device connected at the top through the medium of a pipe 3 and L 4 with the top of a cylinder or jacket 5. A

similar L 6 is connected" to the bottom of the jacket or cylinder, and to this is connected a pipe or coupling 7 screwed into the lower portion of my device. A supply pipe 8 is screwed into the opposite end of my device,

through which cold water is brought from any desired source of supply. A main dis- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2o, rare charge pipe 9 is in open communication with the-interior 10 of the threaded T 11 and the pipe 3 communicates with the interior 12 of the threaded T 13. Between the Ts 11 and 13 is mounted a tube 14 containing the expansible valve stem 15, shown as split at 16 into two separated portions 15 and 15 At the top the expansible valve stem 15 is i an extension of the lower end of the stem 15,, and within the casing 22 screwed on the lower end of the T 11 at 23 are a pair of washers 24and 24*, between which is mounted a'large rubber washer 25, the metal washers 24 and 24 being smaller than the inner diameter of the casting 22, and the rubber washer 25. having enlarged or spread ends 26 adapted'to fit tightly between the outer edges of the washers 24 and the inner face of the casting 22, thus preventing any leakage. Below the. washers 24 is an extension rod 27, on the end of which is mounted the valt'e proper 28, a coil spring'29/being inserted between the valve and the washers 24. The casting 22 is enlarged, as shown at 30, its enlarged inner face 31 forming a seat for the valve 28. Secured to the bottom of the casting 22 is a diaphragmvalve casing comprising an upper member 32 and alower member 33 secured together, as shown at 34, and having mounted within its interior a diaphragm 35 dividing the interior into an upper chamber 36 and a lower chamher '37. This lower chamber communicates with the interior of the primary valve casting 38, forming the base of the device A and into which the supply pipe Sand the discharge pipe 7 therefrom communicate. The interior of this member 38 is divlded by a wall 39 into an upper chamber 40 and a lower chamber 41. Communication between these'chambers is regulated by means of a valve 42 fitting within an opening 43 in the wall 39, and seating against the valve seat 42 on said wall. p

The diaphragm 35 is connected to the valve 42 by means of a rod or stem 44, said stem having a passage 45 extending entirely through the same and making communication between the lower chamber 41 and the upper diaphragm chamber 36; It will be noted that the lower surface of the valve 42 is of much less area than: the upper sur face of the diaphragm 35.

The lower diaphragm chamber 37 and the supplemental chamber 46, surrounding the ing 52 and on the end 'ofwhich is mounted a piston-head 53, dividing the cylinder into upper and lower chambers 5455, corresponding to the chambers 36-37.

A tight fit between the piston-head and the interior of the cylinder is effected by means of a' pair ofn etal rings 56 or these 2 "rings may be omitted anda rubber disk or tamer 5.

washer 57 placed on the top of the cylinder head and shown in dotted lines. In the event that my device is used in connection with steam, I prefer to use the piston-head with a piston-ring thereon, between the rods .27 and the stem 15.

In order to maintain a constant circ ulation through the entire system, regardless of the relative positions of the valves, I provide within the wal1i39a small vent port or leak 58, permitting the passage of fluid from the supply pipe .8 into the cylinder orcon- Referring now to the operation .of my de vice, let it be considered. that'the interior of the cylinder or jacket 5 is filled with water at any degree of temperature, and the indicator is set to permit the valve to open at a slightly increased temperature, the valve 42- being closed. Prior to this time the pres transmitted through thefluid. in the pipe 8 has forced the fluid into the chamber 40 through the. pipe 7 and into and filling the jacket andthe entire system, and hasat the same time been.forced up through the passage 45 into the upper diaphragm chamber 36. When the diaphragm chamber is full the enlarged area of the diaphragm 35. forces the valve 42 downwardly against itsseat 42 shutting off the *passage of any more fluid. into the chamber 40'. The valve 28 being seated against its seat 31, noQportion of the fluid contained within the system below the diaphragm, itself can pass through the by-pass 47 and mto the chamber 46. At the same time, however, suflicient fluid leaks through the vent 58 into the systemto cause a slow' circulation through the jacket pipe'3, the interior of the tube 14, and out through the general discharge-pipe 9.

This state of affairs continues'until the temperature within the system has been raised to, such a point as to afiect the valve stem 15' sufliciently to cause it to expand or lengthen and forces the valve'28 away from its seat 31. The moment that this occurs,

open communication'is afi'ordedbetween the upper and lower diaphragm chambers through the by-pass 47, the fluid from the chamber 36 passing up through the chamber 46 and by-pass47 and into the lower diaphragm chamber and into the main system. This operation relieves the, pressure on the upper face of the diaphragm 35, and when this pressure is sufiiciently reduced, the normal pressure exerted through the pipe 8 on the lower portion" of-tlre valve 42 is suliicient to raise the valve 42 and permit a fresh supply of cool fluid to pass into the system. When this cool fluid comes in contact with the valve stem 15 it causes it to contract and closethe valve 28 "against its seat 31, thereby and lower diaphragm chambers, on the happening of which event the fluid passingv sure in the upper portion of the system will approach that of the initial pressure of the closing communication between the upper fluid being supplied to the system.. If this condition arises, the pressure above and below the diaphragm 35 will be either equal or so nearly-equal as to prevent the operation of the device. In order to overcome what is practically a dead. center in the system, I provide a spring 59 seated withinv the upper. chamber 36 and resting normally'on the top of the diaphragm, or the diaphragm nut 60.- The spring being normal under tension, serves to prevent any equalization of pressure on' either side of the system. While I have described this operation as consisting in the periodical opening and closing of the valve, it is evident that the parts may be so adjusted as to afford substantially continuous operation of my device between limited ranges of temperature", the valves opening and closing to a very slight degree, amounting practically to a pulsatory motion instead of: an intermittent one. T 'In a great .many cases where a device of this character is-needed, the parts are subject to very high pressure, and it becomes a seriousfquestion whether or not to permit such 1a pressure upon the interior of the cylinder, jacket or container. By the use of I her, an expansion rod passing through said mydevice, however, all extreme variations of pressure are avoided, but at all times a suflicient pressure is supplied to maintain the fluid in circulation and at the required degree of heat necessary to secure the highest eflioiency.

My device is especially useful in large installations that handle upward of two thousand gallons per hour. It is, of course,

clearly evident that slight modifications of parts shown may be substituted without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a system of the class described, the combination with a container, an expansion valve chamber, an expansion valve mounted therein, means for'maintaining a uniform circulation of fluid within predetermined ranges of temperature through said container, and means for introducing an increased supply of fluid when the fluid within said system has reached a predetermined temperature, said means comprising a supplemental valve outside of said container, with means whereby said expansion valve causes said supplemental valve to control the ingress of fluid into and the egress of fluid out of said system.

2. In a system of the class described, the combination with a container, an expansion valve chamber, an expansion valve mounted therein, means for maintaininga uniform circulation of fluid within predetermined ranges of temperature through. said container, and means for introducing an increased supply of fluid when the fluid within said system has reached a predetermined temperature, said ineans'com'prising a supplemental diaphragm valve outside of said container, with means whereby said expansion valvecauses said supplemental valve to control the ingress of fluid intoand the egress of fluid out of said system.

3. In a system of the class described, a

container and means for maintaining a constantly changing flow of fluid through said container at a temperature defined by pre-' determined ranges, an expans1on valve cas-' ing divided into an upper and lower chamber, an expansion rod passing through said chambers, a valve mounted on the lower end of said rod, a supplemental valve casing mounted below, said expansion valve, a supplemental valve mounted therein and controlling the inflow of fluid within the system, and means whereby the operation of said expansion valve operates said supple mental valve. I I

4. In a system of the class described, a container and means for maintainingoa constantly changing flow of fluid through said container at a temperature defined by predetermlned ranges, an expansion valve casing divided into anupper and lower cham- 'the interior of said' supplemental valve casing.

5. In a system of the class described, a container and means for maintaining a constantly changing flow of fluid through said container at a temperature defined by predetermined ranges, an expansion valve casing dividedinto an upper and lower chamber, an expansion rod passing through said chamber, a valve mounted on the lower end of said rod, a supplemental valve casing mounted below said expansion valve, a diaphragm dividing the interior of said easing into an upper and lower diaphragm cham-" ber, a supplemental valve controlling an opening between said lower diaphragm chamber and source of supply, and means whereby the operation of said,expansion valve regulates the movements of said supplemental valve. I

6. In a system of the class described, a container and means for maintaining a constantly changing flow of fluid through said container at a temperature defined by predetermined ranges, an expansion valve casing divided into an upper and lower chamber, an 1 expansion rod passing through said chamber, a valve mounted on the lower end of said rod, a supplemental valve casing mounted below said expansion valve, a diaphragm dividing the interior of said casing into an upper and lower diaphragm chamber, a valve mounted below and secured to said diaphragm and controlling an opening between said diaphragm chamber and between said lower expansion valve chamber and the lower diaphragm chamber, whereby the movement of said expansion valve controls the admission of fluid into the system.

7. In a system of the class described, a container and means for maintaining a constantly changing flow of fluid through said container 'at atemperature' defined by predetermined ranges, an expansion valve casing divided into an upper and lower chamber, an expansion rod passing through said chamber, a valve mounted on the lower end of said rod, a supplemental valve casing" mounted-below said expansion valve, a diaphragm dividing the interior of said casing into an upper and lower diaphragm chamber, a hollow rod mounted on the center of said diaphragm, a valve secured to the'lower o the source of fluid supply, pipe connections end ofsaid rod and controlling an opening between said diaphragm chamber and the a source of fluid supply, pipe connections betainer, and means for introducing a' fresh supply of fluid when the fluid within said system has reached a predetermined tem perature, said means comprising a supplemental spring controlled diaphragm valve outside of said container, with means whereby said expansion valve causes said supplemental valve to control the ingress of an increasedisuppl'y of fluid into and the egress of fluid out of said system. H

9. In a system of, the class described, a container and means formaintaining a constantly changing flow of fluid through said container at a temperature defined by predetermined ranges, an expansion valve casing divided into an upper and lower chamber, an expansion rodpassing through said chamber, a valve mounted on the lower end of said rod, a supplemental .valve casing mounted below said expansion valve, a spring-pressed diaphragm dividing the interiorof said easing into an upper and lower diaphragm chamber, a supplemental valve controlling an opening between said lower diaphragm chamber and source of supply, and means whereby the operation of said expansion valve regulates the movements of said supplemental valve.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub scribed my name in the presence of two witnessesi a a JOHN M. LARSON.

Witnesses: I I,

M. REYNoLDs,. 1 E. R, KING. 

